Insurance write-off question

[JB]

I'm off with a mate later today as a witness/moral support in his meeting with an insurance assessor over the fact they want to write off his car. (Don't worry, it's only a Saxo, so no great loss to British roads there ;) )

My question is, is the write off value of a car up for negotiation, or are we obliged to accept what the assessor says?

[Hayley]

I had a long battle with an insurance company when my Capri was written off. They offered me less than my bloody premium. :mad: :mad: I gave them receipts for all the work I had had done, and things I had bought and eventually they did up their offer.

don't give in if your not happy. Fight the bastards, you can win. :)

[GrahamB]

No as far as I am aware you can negotiate if the car has any special features of note...

Low mileage,
Immaculate,
Neon kit, :rolleyes:
LED Washer Jets, :rolleyes:
Max Power sticker, :rolleyes:
K&N. :rolleyes:

I think I'll stop here:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
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...Before I get too carried away:D:D:D:D:D:D

[Wak]

Yes it's up for negotiation, I haggled the assesor up a bit on an offer over the phone, if you are still not happy you can appeal to the insurance company but you will have to provide service history receipts etc, anything to back up your claim that the car is worth more than the assesor thinks.

[marty_t3]

I know a few folk who've haggled with insurance companies over values. They've all had to haggle but they all got a much better offer because of it (one even doubled the first offer for a mangled old wrx). DONT accept their first price... always argue that it's worth more. Bear in mind the insurance assessor works for a company and that company are there to make money.

Don't let him away with anything. Your mate paid then for insurance.. now it's their turn to pay for his car.

[mambastu]

Insurance companies expect you to reject their first offer, its nearly always well below the market value for the vehicle.

My sister wrote her car off a few weeks ago. It was a Peugeot 306 XSI (not enough power to scrabble).
The insurance company offered £2000 for it, the car was worth £3,000. She rejected the offer and received another offer for £2600 and a cheque a couple of days later for the sum even though she hadn't agreed to it. Unfortunately she decided to keep the cheque which is exactly what the insurance company was hoping she would do, she should have rejected it and got them to try again :rolleyes:

[Del mar]

I know that some insurance companies have looked the idea of replacing the car.

If they are writing off for example a Blue 1999 VTR with low miles request that they provide you with a Blue 1999 VTR in similar condition ? Or could you send them a copy of Autotrader showing the prices of second hand VTR's in a similar condition to his before the damage.

They only have to offer you the market value (the CAP / Glass guide is not necessarily a true reflection of the cost, it shows my car being worth £0, which is not the case!), the market value is surely dictated by the average selling price of a similar car ? Dealers will not count as they over inflate the price, but if the average second hand price for a similar car is £3000, how can they value his car before damage at £2000 ????????????

I am a big fan of theory as opposed to practise, but also a fan of common sense.

I have a little understanding of insurance, but I do know that the Insurance Ombudsman has the final say in most matter of UK insurance dispute, and he always (well in our cases anyway) sides with the insured, providing that they/he can build a decent case. Ohh and it will cost the insurance company at least £500 whether they win or not, and cost him nothing !!!

Good Luck